Lockheed Stratoliner Hydrogen Jet 1/5

Lockheed Stratoliner Hydrogen Jet

The animal that holds the record for the longest nonstop flight is the Bar-tailed Godwit, a bird that flew 7,268 miles nonstop from Australia to Alaska. So it seems fitting for designer William Brown to base his concept design on the record-breaking wader.The Lockheed Stratoliner uses a zero-emission engine system called cryogenic hydrogen turbofan. It’s not entirely clear whether the engines would burn hydrogen in a similar way to a combustion engine or use a hydrogen fuel cell. But Brown has said it will be capable of circumnavigating the globe without the need to stop for fuel, all while emitting zero emissions.The unusual design uses disproportionately large wings, which, when combined with the engine’s low power usage, allows the Stratoliner to cruise at high altitude with ease. Much like the Godwit, without the turbofans, of course.The nose of the Stratoliner features the same sloping design that Concord used, but the twin tail fins are a feature borrowed from fighter jets.

Lockheed has yet to comment on whether this is a design they’ll be looking into developing. But, more importantly, could you sit in economy for 24 hours? We couldn’t.